ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman couldn't believe his side have got an away opening day fixture for the third year running.

The Reds will travel to Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday August 18 as they look to get their UniBond Premier campaign off to a winning start.

"Not again," said the boss. "We never get a home game first. Never!

"It is very disappointing. I would like to start the season at home but you have to play them all sooner or later, home or away, so we have to get on with it."

Stanley are at the Crown Ground for the next two fixtures -- Barrow on Wednesday August 22 and Burscough the following Saturday.

"At the start of the season you don't win the league but it is important to get off to the best start and you need to win your home games no matter when they are.

"You have got to use the early home games to your advantage and there is a little bit of pressure to take points from these games."

Stanley are hoping to be up there challenging for a Nationwide Conference place next season with just the champions going up.

And Coleman knows that it will be tough. "Burton Albion have just joined our league and I know everyone is talking about them," said the Reds chief.

"They are managed by Nigel Clough, have money behind them and get good crowds. I think they will be challenging at the top.

"And Bishop Auckland had a good season last season but fell away. Even so, I think they will be up there as well.

"Then there's Barrow. I've been impressed with them every time we have played them.

"And there's also the usual suspects, the likes of Emley and Altrincham who have been around years, but will still be aiming to stake their claim."

Despite so much competition, the Reds chief is still confident his side can claim that elusive top spot.

"We finished ninth last season and I would say we were only playing at 60 per cent of what we can.

"We didn't always play well and I need to make sure we eliminate soft errors and not lose games which really we should win this season.

"We can certainly improve although we haven't got a long way to go.

"If we do that I am sure we will be up there challenging for the league."